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OK, I keep getting scared off Florida Bonefish. People talk about FL bones in terms of "graduate level bonefishing" and "testing yourself." I'm just interested in catching some bones in a really beautiful, tropical setting. I hear stories about fishless days, even days without seeing a bonefish. I hear about guides that yell at you if you don't put out that 80 foot cast into the wind.
How much of that is reality and how much is hype?
What's your Florida Bonefishing experience?
If you are going to be in Florida from around Biscayne Bay near Miami south down into the Florida Keys I would talk to someone at a local tackle shop about fly fishing for Bonefish.
Some wading is possible but renting a boat or getting a guide with a boat is better.
It would be best during the warmer months of April through November so the flats will be warm.
The Bonefish in Florida seem to be much bigger than in other tropical destinations so they are spookier.
Casting from a boat for Bonefish usually demands longer casts, 60 feet plus.
Wading for Bonefish is usually shorter casting, 20 to 40 feet.
**Bonefish in the Caribbean, Mexican Yucatan and Belize, are usually smaller (1-3#), more plentiful and less spooky so they are easier to learn on.
Hey Bill, Thanks for the reply.
Right now I'm not planning on going to FL to fish because it just sounds so tough, but I'm wondering if it really is that tough, of if that is just hype. Have you fished FL for bones and if so, how was that experience?
There is my impression of the fishing there and there is the reality of it, and I'm trying to figure out how far apart those things are.
B-
Everything that Bill said hits right on.
Another thing that makes these bigger fish spookier is they get pounded on a lot. Every person in the country that visits the Florida keys wants to hook up with the big three,,,,, bonefish, permit, or tarpon. As a result they get a lot of pressure.
Wading is possible along the keys but "good flats" aren't right next to the highway. Some of the easier access points just don't hold fish like more remote spots.
Another challenge is finding a good guide that doesn't think of himself as a prima dona. Some of these guys charge the highest of fees for the day and "expect" a big tip and even tell you what they want for lunch. Call around. Call World Wide Sportsman or Sandy Morets and ask to talk with a few of the guides until you hit a rapport with one you like.
I usually book a guide for a couple of days to find out what's going on where and then rent my own boat for the rest of the time. Robbie's Marina in Islamorada has good prices on boat rentals and will let you take the boat back to your hotel if you have it for several days or a week. This makes it nice so you can fish as you like, and still entertain the wife or family during the day.
Also, if you're new to the keys, don't lock yourself in to just the big three. Try barracuda for some real fun. They're everywhere and will hit ANY flashy fly or popper if stripped fast. Try wading the north end of Bahia Honda State Park. Cast between the clumps of turtle grass with your 8 weight and strip as fast as you can. They come out of nowhere, slam your fly and jump like hell. If you rent a boat try under the bridges for bigger cudas. They're everywhere.
Another fun fish are the bonnethead and lemon sharks. Both will take fies readily. When I target sharks I usually buy a block of chum and toss it in the live well of the boat. Anchor your boat and pull the drain plug of the well every once in a while and release some of the thawed chum. You'll be creating a chum slick trail right to your boat. Also, if you get any extra barracuda they can be kept for chum as well. Partially fillet the barracuda and tie off the carcass to the boat. The give off a scent very much like salmon and sharks love'm.
Hope this gives you a few more ideas,
TONY
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TONY
Bjorn
I have friends(not FF's) I usually fish with in the Keys. The one time I got a guide I asked about Bonefish, he had one question, "can you put the fly in the ice chest at 40' in a 15 knot wind?" If the answer is yes "let's go" if the answer is no "let's try something else". The first day inside(Flamingo) the wife and I caught lots of Redfish and Snook and the second day outside we had one very quick 'shot' at a Bone, got a few Reds, Jacks and a small Bonnethead. He definetly knew Florida Bay/Everglades, was always cheerful and we both had fun. Would book him again.
Steve
Go in the fall. There is VERY little fishing pressure then and the fish arent so persnickety. Lots of permit and small poons too.
thought i'd just toss in some input that barracuda on the fly are some of the greatest fun you will ever have. i started salt flyfishing with the big three in mind, but after catching a number of cuda, i have changed my perspective. those are awesome fish, the follow, the strike, the fight, the pull, INCREDIBLE!!!! so yea, thats really all i have to say, those barracuda pics above got me goin'
Bjorn -
Any 'Guide' that would yell at you deserves to get the double-middle-finger salute and a request for a fast trip back to the dock . The trip is for YOU , and you don't need anyone's crappy attitude sinking YOUR trip .
At the same turn .... be realistic about your skill level . Practice your ass off (go to the local school field , take a 100-foot tape measurer , plant paper plates from 35 feet to 80 feet away , and shoot to each until you can nail 'em in your sleep) , pay attention to the details (stretch/dress the line , know where the heck 'Nine-o'clock , 50 feet ' is , tye perfect knots , etc. ) . I don't know squat about Bonefish Guides , but ALL my Friends that are local Guides have told me stories about the people who show-up , cannot cast AT ALL , can't set a hook , etc. , and still expect huge numbers of big ones to the boat .
Your Guide should be civil , work hard to put you on fish , and offer CONSTRUCTIVE hints to make you better . Nothin' else is acceptable .....
Good luck on your future trips !!
David
I was a trout guide for a very short time and certainly had folks that couldn't cast. I can cast... have a bad tendency to let my rod tip travel a bit, but if I concentrate on that, I can get a 60/70 foot cast out in a wind. Doing it without smacking the water is really the issue for me. Sometimes that cast is not too subtle.
The FL guides I've talked too have all been great, but there is certainly a reputation for FL guides being difficult. I don't know if that is fact or fiction though. That's one thing I'm trying to figure out.
My next trip will be to Grand Bahama, not FL, but I may head to FL for the trip AFTER that... maybe... I have to see.
Funny that the main advice about bones in FL seems to be to fish for other species. I'm sure Cuda's are an absolute blast and a baby tarpon sounds like a real kick. Never caught a snook... oh, so many fish, so little time!
bjorn,.... Why limit yourself to bonefish :question: :question: Why limit yourself to Florida :question: :question: Why consider fishing with arrogant, expensive guides :question: :question: Seems like you're trying to talk yourself out of making the trip. :confused:
You've done your homework. Lots of good advice provided by the other posters. Guides may or may not be a problem. There're certainly plenty of 'em to choose from. Your casting skills may or may not be good enough to cast to a Bonefish but certainly are for other species and you won't know if you don't go. :nod:
First times are always an adventure and a learning experience. I'd say jump in and make an adventure out of it.... :nod:
BTW,.... Good luck :D :D
Not to worry, I'm not limiting myself, I'm just trying to figure out what is hype and what is truth when it comes to FL bones.
B-